[105.] If one chalice is not sufficient for Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ’s faithful, there is no reason why the Priest celebrant should not use several chalices.[Cf. GIRM 207 and 285a]For it is to be remembered that all Priests in celebrating Holy Mass are bound to receive Communion under both kinds. It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.

An awkward point for the CDWDS to defend:

[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.

This is the source of the modification that wine be poured into different vessels before consecration. It rather overlooks the possibility that individual altar bread and perhaps even crumbs might be spilled.

My sense is that the CDWDS largely lacked experience with this form of Communion and declined to consult people who did. Great care is needed for good liturgy, and for reverent handling of the elements, before and after consecration. These matter are better communicated with positive examples, rather than less mindful shalt-not’s.

One Response to Redemptionis Sacramentum 105-106

1. The opening clause (“If one chalice is not sufficient for Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ’s faithful”) implies that there is some value to a single cup (akin to the value of breaking a single loaf), though the threshold for overcoming that value is low (also similar to the single loaf). This should be particularly achievable in weekday Masses.

2. “It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.” I know there are places that resist this idea. The clause doesn’t refer to elaborateness, but to size; akin to the idea of a larger host for fractioning.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.